Sulfosuccinate derivatives as detergent builders

ABSTRACT

Novel salts of α-substituted-β-sulfosuccinic acids having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or an organic moiety, Z is selected from the group consisting of O, S, SO, SO 2 , N and NO and M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cations, useful as detergents and/or detergent builders and detergent compositions containing same. 
     .[.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 156,933, filed June 25, 1971, now abandoned..].

.Iadd.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,633, dated Oct. 14, 1975, whichis a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 156,933, filed June 25,1971, now abandoned. .Iaddend.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eutrophication is the process of excessive fertilization of aquaticplants through enrichment of waters with nutrients, such as carbon,nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, trace metals and vitamins.

Although there is no present adequate proof, it has been postulated thatthe phosphorus-containing builders present in detergent compositions canbe a factor in eutrophication. Therefore any substitutes which do notcontain phosphorus may decrease to some extent the eutrophication.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide novelcompounds which are useful as detergent builders. It is another objectof the present invention to provide novel compounds which function assurface active agents and as detergent builders. It is still anotherobject of the present invention to provide detergent compositions whichare free of phosphorus-containing builders such as the alkali metalcondensed phosphates.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that the alkali metal ammonium andsubstituted ammonium salts of certain sulfoaliphatic dicarboxylic acidscan serve as effective detergent builders in detergent compositions. Thedetergent builders and their acid forms employed in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention can be generally described asα-substituted-β-sulfosuccinic acids and salts thereof having the generalformula: ##STR2## wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of O,S, SO and SO₂ ; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,alkyl containing 1-30 carbon atoms, phenyl, carboxyl substituted andmono- di- or tri-alkyl substituted phenyl, wherein the alkyl group orgroups contain 1-4 carbon atoms; sulfo- and carboxy-alkyl, wherein thealkyl moiety contains 1-4 carbon atoms; and R'Z (CH₂ CH₂ O)n--CH₂ CH₂--, wherein R' is H or alkyl containing 1-24 carbon atoms; Z is asabove; and n is 0 or an integer of from 1-15 and the alkali metal,ammonium and substituted ammonium salts thereof.

Thus, specific compounds and classes of compounds embraced by thegeneric formula above include:

α-hydroxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids

α-alkoxy-β -sulfosuccinic acids

α-phenoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids

α-carboxyphenoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids

α-alkylphenoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids

α-carboxyalkoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids

α-sulfoalkoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids

α-alkoxyethoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids

α-alkoxypolyethyleneoxyethoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids

α-hydroxyalkoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids; the alkali metal, ammonium andsubstituted ammonium salts thereof; and the thio, sulfinyl and sulfonylanalogs of all the foregoing compounds wherein the oxygen group attachedto the α-carbon of the succinic acid or succinate moiety is replaced by--S--, --SO-- or --SO₂ --, respectively, and/or wherein the cases of theα-alkoxyethoxy compounds and the α-alkoxypolyethyleneoxyethoxy compoundsthe oxygen attached to the alkyl group (R') is replaced by --S--, --SO--or --SO₂ --.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention are thenitrogen containing α-substituted-β-sulfosuccinic acids and saltsthereof having the following general formula: ##STR3## wherein at leastone of R₁ and R₂ is hydrogen, C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl, C₁ to C₄ hydroxyalkyl,carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, sulfomethyl and sulfoethyl, or R₁ and R₂may be joined to form a morpholinyl moiety; with the proviso that bothR₁ and R₂ may not at the same time be hydrogen.

Thus, broadly the compounds of Formula I differ from the compounds ofFormula II only in the atom represented by Z.

Representative compounds and classes of compounds embraced by genericFormula II above include:

α-alkylamino-β-sulfosuccinic acids such as α-methylamino, α-propylamino,α-octylamino and α-laurylamino-β-sulfosuccinic acid;

α-dialkylamino-β-sulfosuccinic acids such as α-dimethylamino,α-ethylmethylamino, α-methylhexylamino andα-dioctylamino-β-sulfosuccinic acid;

α-hydroxyalkyl-β-sulfosuccinic acids such as α-hydroxyethylamino,α-hydroxybutylamino and α-bis-(hydroxyethyl)amino-β-sulfosuccinic acid;

α-carboxyalkylamino-β-sulfosuccinic acids such as α-carboxymethylamino,α-carboxyethylamino-β-sulfosuccinic acid and the corresponding sulfoanalogs;

α-morpholinyl-β-sulfosuccinic acid; and the mono or poly salts thereof.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention arethe amine oxide derivatives of Formula II, wherein the nitrogen is atertiary atom, corresponding to the following general formula: ##STR4##wherein R₁ and R₂ are as is designated in Formula II with the provisothat neither R₁ nor R₂ can be hydrogen.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the compounds of theinvention contain at least two asymmetric carbon atoms and therefore canexist in several optically active forms as well as optically inactivemixtures (racemates). For purposes of this invention, the compounds asdefined are intended to include all of the stereoisomeric forms andmixtures thereof.

In addition to the detergent building properties exhibited by the entireclass of compounds described above, certain select members also exhibitproperties which make them useful as wetting and foaming agents and thusconstitute a class of novel surface active agents. For example, theα-alkoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acids and the thio analogs, containing fromabout 1-8 carbons, preferably from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms,exhibit excellent detergent building properties whereas the higherhomologs containing from about 9-30 and more preferably 9-24 carbonatoms in the alkyl chain, additionally exhibit wetting, foaming anddetergency properties.

Similarly, the α-alkoxyethoxy andα-alkoxypolyethyleneoxyethoxy-β-sulfosuccinic acid compounds containingfrom about 9-30 and preferably about 9-24 carbon atoms in the alkoxymoiety are also useful as wetting agents, foaming agents and detergentsas well as detergent builders.

Although the builders of the present invention may be utilized as thefree acid provided sufficient alkaline additives are included in thedetergent composition to convert the acid forms in situ to the normalsalt forms, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts ofthe α-substituted-β-sulfosuccinic acids are preferred. Included in thesubstituted ammonium salts that can be employed are themonoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium,methylammonium, dimethylammonium, trimethylammonium,tetramethylammonium, morpholinium, N-methylmonoethanolammonium andN-ethylmonoethanolammonium salts and mixtures thereof.

The utility of the compounds of the present invention is not onlyreflected in terms of excellent building and biodegradability propertiesbut also in low cost of preparation, since they are prepared fromreadily available and inexpensive materials. For example, the compoundscontemplated in this invention are derived from sulfomaleic anhydrideand readly available alcohols, thiols, hydroxy acids and amines.

More specifically, the compounds contemplated in this invention arereaction products derived at least in part from sulfomaleic acid orsulfomaleic .[.acid.]. .Iadd.anhydride .Iaddend.with compounds having anactive hydrogen atom.

Compounds having an active hydrogen and suitable for use in preparingthe builders of the present invention are mono- di- or polyhydricalcohols and mono- di- or polyhydroxy acids and their sulfur-containinganalogs. Suitable examples of the aforementioned monohydric alcoholsinclude alkoxyalkanols such as methoxyethanol and the linear primary andsecondary alcohols containing up to 30 carbon atoms and their thioanalogs; aromatic alcohols particularly the carbocyclic mono- andbicyclic aromatic alcohols, such as naphthols and phenols and the mono-di- or tri- C₁ -C₄ alkyl ring substitued derivatives thereof. Suitableexamples of dihydric alcohols include the glycols such as ethyleneglycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, trimethylene glycol,tetramethylene glycol, pentamethylene glycol, hexamethylene glycol,heptamethylene glycol, long chain 1,2-diols containing from 8-30 carbonatoms and aromatic carbocyclic glycols such as phenylethylene glycol.Similarly, suitable polyhydric alcohols include glycerol,pentaerythritol, hexanetriol, sugars and their thio analogs.

In addition to the alcohols, the hydroxy carboxylic and sulfonic acids(in their ester and acid/salt forms, respectively) may also react withsulfomaleic anhydride and sulfomaleic acid. These include.[.glycollic.]. .Iadd.glycolic.Iaddend., lactic, glyceric,hydroxypropionic. .[.salicyclic.]. .Iadd.salicylic .Iaddend.and mercaptoacetic acid, hydroxymethanesulfonic acid and hydroxyethanesulfonic acid.

Still another important class of compounds containing active hydrogensare ethylene oxide adducts of C₁ to C₃₀ primary and secondary alcoholswith 1-15 moles of ethylene oxide.

In general, the α-substituted-β-sulfosuccinate salts, wherein theα-substituent is joined to the α-carbon atom of the sulfosuccinatemoiety by an O or S linkage, may be prepared by heating at a temperatureof from about 25° to 120° C, and preferably 60° to 100° C, sulfomaleicanhydride with a compound having an active hydrogen followed by furthertreatment with an alkali metal hydroxide. The desired α-oxy orα-thio-β-sulfosuccinate may then be recovered and purified usingconventional techniques.

The α-substituted-β-sulfosuccinate salts wherein the α-substituent isjoined to the α-carbon atom of the sulfo-succinate moiety by an SO orSO₂ linkage may be prepared by treating the appropriate α-substitutedthio-β-sulfosuccinate with hydrogen peroxide according to the methodsdescribed on pages 471-472 in the text. "Reagents for Organic Synthesis"by Fieser and Fieser, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1967,incorporated by reference herein.

The α-substituted-β-sulfosuccinate salts wherein the α-substituent isjoined to the α-carbon atom of the sulfosuccinate moiety by an aminofunction (Formula II) may be prepared by reacting an appropriatelysubstituted or unsubstituted primary or secondary amine with alkalimetal salts of sulfomaleic acid. Typical amines suitable for reaction toform the α-substituted amino-β-sulfosuccinates include:

ethanolamine

diethanolamine

propanolamine

morpholine

N-methylethanolamine

glycine

alanine

N-methyl taurine

alkylamines containing 1-20 carbons in the alkyl chain, as well as otheramines having a replaceable or active hydrogen and a basicity comparableto the aforementioned amines.

In particular the α-amino substituted-β-sulfosuccinates derived fromwater-soluble amines may be prepared by reacting in aqueous solutionwithout the aid of heat and those derived from water-insoluble amines(i.e., higher alkylamines) are reacted in a mixed solvent system such asethanol/water or dioxane/water at temperatures ranging from about 25° Cto about 80° C; isolation from the reaction medium, and purification ifdesired, being effected by conventional methods.

The compounds of Formula III may be prepared by reacting the tertiaryamine compounds of Formula II with oxidizing agents such as hydrogenperoxide, peroxyacetic and peroxyformic acid in the manner described foroxidizing tertiary amines by Hoh et al., J. Am. Oil Chemists' Soc., 40,268 (1963).

In preparing the sulfosuccinate salts from the free acid, the amount ofbase utilized will determine whether the mono- di- or tri-salt isobtained. For example, the use of one mole of base (i.e., sodiumhydroxide) per mole of α-hydroxy-β-sulfosuccinic acid yields themonosodium salt; the use of two moles of sodium hydroxide, the disodiumsalt and the use of three moles of sodium hydroxide, the tri-sodiumsalt. When R is carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, sulfo-methyl or sulfoethyl,a tetrasalt can also be obtained. Similarly, other bases, such asammonium hydroxide and organic amines, may be utilized in the samemanner to afford the type of salt desired.

According to the present invention, excellent cleaning results can beobtained by using the builders described above with a wide range ofdetergent surface active materials and mixtures thereof in any of theusual physical forms for such compositions such as powders, beads,flakes, bars, tablets, noodles, liquids and the like. The builders canbe used singularly, in combination with each other as the sole builderin the detergent composition or in combination with other well-knowndetergent builders such as sodium nitrilotriacetate, sodiumethylenediaminetetraacetate, sodium tripolyphosphate, trisodiumorthophosphate, sodium and potassium pyrophosphate, sodium polyacrylate,disodium oxydiacetate, trisodium citrate, trisodiumcarboxymethyloxysuccinate, salts of oxidized starches and sodium orpotassium carbonate, as well as other conventional organic and inorganicbuilders.

When using the detergent compositions of the invention to wash clothes,the wash solutions should have a pH from about 7 to 12 and preferablyfrom about 9 to 11 throughout the washing cycle. Therefore, the presenceof an alkaline buffer in the detergent composition is usually desirableparticularly when the soil to be removed from the clothes has a highcontent of acidic components. Suitable buffers include any of the commonorganic and/or inorganic buffers such as monoethanolamine,diethanolamine, triethanolamine, sodium and potassium silicates, sodiumand potassium carbonates and bicarbonates and the like.

In the detergent compositions of the present invention, the onlyessential ingredients are the detergent surface active material and thebuilder. The weight percent of the builder present in the detergentcomposition will range from about 5 to about 90% and preferably fromabout 20 to about 60% and more preferably 35-50% by weight of the totalweight of the composition. When .[.expreseed.]. .Iadd.expressed.Iaddend.as a weight ratio of builder to surfactant, the builders usedin the instant invention will generally be present in a ratio of about1:10 to about 10:1, and preferably 2:1 to 5:1 depending on the end useor whether a heavy-duty or light-duty detergent is desired. When thebuilders are used in mechanical dishwashing compositions, the ratio ofbuilder to surfactant is from about 10:1 to about 50:1.

The detergent surface active compounds which can be used within thecompositions of this invention include anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic,ampholytic detergent compounds and mixtues thereof. These suitablesubstances are outlined at length below.

a. Anionic detergent compositions which can be used in the compositionsof this invention include both soap and non-soap detergent compounds.Examples of suitable soaps are the sodium, potassium, ammonium andalkylolammonium salts of higher fatty acids (C₁₀ -C₂₀). Particularlyuseful are the sodium or potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acidsderived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallowand coconut soap and tall oil. Examples of anionic organic non-soapdetergent compounds are the water soluble salts, alkali metal salts oforganic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structurean alkyl radical containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and aradical selected from the group consisting of sulfonic acid and sulfuricacid ester radicals. Important examples of the synthetic detergentswhich form a part of the compositions of the present invention are thesodium or potassium alkyl sulfates especially those obtained bysulfating the higher alcohols (C₈ -C₁₈ carbon atoms) produced byreducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; sodium or potassiumalkyl benzenesulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from about 9to about 20 carbon atoms and in which the alkyl group is attached to thebenzene ring in either the one position or at the secondary positionssuch as in LAS,* sodium p-(2-dodecyl-)benzenesulfonate, sodiump-(2-octadecyl)benzenesulfonates and sodiump-(3-dodecyl)benzenesulfonate; sodium alkyl glycerol ether sulfonates,especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallowcoconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum; sodiumcoconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates; sodium orpotassium salts of sulfuric acid esters and carboxymethylatedderivatives of the reaction product of one mole of a higher fattyalcohol (e.g., tallow or coconut oil alcohols) and about 1 to 6 moles ofethylene oxide per molecule and in which the alkyl radicals containabout 9 to about 18 carbon atoms; the reaction product of fatty acidsesterified with isethionic acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxidewhere, for example, the fatty acids are derived from coconut oil; sodiumor potassium salts of fatty acid amides of methyl taurine in which thefatty acids, for example, are derived from coconut; alkane sulfonatessuch as those derived by reacting alpha-olefins containing 8 to 20carbon atoms with sodium bisulfite and those derived by reactingparaffins with SO₂ and Cl₂ and then hydrolyzing with a base to produce arandom sulfonate; alpha-olefin sulfonates such as those derived byreacting alpha-olefins with SO₃ and then neutralizing the reactionproduct; and others known in the art.

b. Nonionic synthetic detergents may be broadly defined as compoundswhich do not ionize in water solution. For example, a well-known classof nonionic synthetic detergents is made available on the market underthe trade name of "Pluronic." These compounds are formed by condensingethylene oxide with an hydrophobic base formed by the condensation ofpropylene oxide with propylene glycol. The hydrophobic portion of themolecule which, of course, exhibits water insolubility has a molecularweight of from about 1,500 to 1,800. The addition of polyoxyethyleneradicals to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the watersolubility of the molecule as a whole and the liquid character of theproduct is retained up to the point where polyoxyethylene content isabout 50% of the total weight of the condensation product.

Other suitable nonionic synthetic detergents include:

1. The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkylphenols, e.g., thecondensation products of alkylphenols having an alkyl group containingfrom about 6 to 12 carbon atoms in either a straight chain or branchedchain configuration, with ethylene oxide, the said ethylene oxide beingpresent in amounts equal to 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole ofalkylphenols. The alkyl substituent in such compounds may be derivedfrom polymerized propylene, .[.disobutylene.]..Iadd.di-isobutylene.Iaddend., octene, dodecene, or nonene, for example.

2. Those derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with theproduct resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide andethylenediamine. For example, compounds containing from about 40% toabout 80% polyoxyethylene by weight and having a molecular weight offrom about 5,000 to about 11,000 resulting from the reaction of ethyleneoxide groups with a hydrophobic base constituted of the reaction productof ethylene diamine and excess propylene oxide, said hydrophobic basehaving a molecular weight of the order of 2,500 to 3,000 aresatisfactory.

3. The condensation product of aliphatic alcohols, primary or secondary,having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branchedconfiguration, with ethylene oxide, e.g., a coconut alcohol-ethyleneoxide condensate having from 6 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide per mole ofcoconut alcohol, the coconut alcohol fraction having from 10 to 14carbon atoms; a C₁₁ -C₁₅ random secondary alcohol derived fromn-paraffins and condensed with 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole ofsecondary alcohol.

4. Long chain tertiary amine oxides corresponding to the followinggeneral formula, R₁ R₂ R₃ N → O, wherein R₁ is an alkyl radical of fromabout 8 to 18 carbon atoms and R₂ and R₃ are each methyl, ethyl orhydroxy ethyl radicals. The arrow in the formula is a conventionalrepresentation of a semi-polar bond. Examples of amine oxides suitablefor use in this invention include dimethyloctylamine oxide,dimethyldecylamine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide,dimethyltetradecylamine oxide.Iadd.,.Iaddend..[.and.].dimethylhexadecylamine oxide.[.,.]. .Iadd.and.Iaddend.N-bis(hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine oxide.

5. Long chain tertiary phosphine oxides corresponding to the followingformula RR'R"P→O, wherein R is an alkyl, alkenyl or monohydroxyalkylradical ranging from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in chain length and R' and R"are each alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to 3 carbonatoms. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation of asemi-polar bond. Examples of suitable phosphine oxides are:

dimethyldodecylphosphine oxide,

dimethyltetradecylphosphine oxide,

ethylmethyltetradecylphosphine oxide,

cetyldimethylphosphine oxide,

dimethylstearylphosphine oxide,

cetylethylpropylphosphine oxide,

diethyldodecylphosphine oxide,

diethyltetradecylphosphine oxide,

bis(hydroxymethyl)dodecylphosphine oxide,

bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylphosphine oxide,

2-hydroxypropylmethyltetradecylphosphine oxide,

dimethyloleylphosphine oxide, and

dimethyl-2-hydroxydodecylphosphine oxide.

6. Dialkyl sulfoxides corresponding to the following formula, RR'S → O,wherein R is an alkyl, alkenyl, beta- or gamma-monohydroxyalkyl radicalor an alkyl or beta- or gamma-monohydroxyalkyl radical containing one ortwo other oxygen atoms in the chain, the R groups ranging from 10 to 18carbon atoms in chain length, and wherein R' is methyl, ethyl oralkylol. Examples of suitable sulfoxide compounds are:

dodecyl methyl sulfoxide

tetradecyl methyl sulfoxide

3-hydroxytridecyl methyl sulfoxide

2-hydroxydodecyl methyl sulfoxide

3-hydroxy-4-decyloxybutyl methyl sulfoxide

3-hydroxy-4-.[.dodecylcoxybutyl.]. .Iadd.dodecyloxybutyl .Iaddend.methylsulfoxide

2-hydroxy-3-decyloxypropyl methyl sulfoxide

2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropyl methyl sulfoxide

dodecyl ethyl sulfoxide

2-hydroxydodecyl ethyl sulfoxide

dodecyl-2-hydroxy ethyl sulfoxide

c. Ampholytic synthetic detergents can be broadly described asderivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, in which thealiphatic radical may be straight chain or branched and wherein one ofthe aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms andone contains an anionic water solubilizing group. Examples of compoundsfalling within this definition are sodium-3-dodecylaminopropionate andsodium-3-dodecylaminopropanesulfonate and sodiumN-2-hydroxydodecyl-N-methyl-taurate.

d. Zwitterionic synthetic detergents can be broadly described asderivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium compounds, sulfoniumcompounds and phosphonium compounds in which the aliphatic radical maybe straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphaticsubstituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one containsan anionic water solubilizing group. Examples of compounds fallingwithin this definition are3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)propane-1-sulfonate,3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate,3-(dodecylmethylsulfonium) propane sulfonate, and3-(cetylmethylphosphonium)ethane sulfonate.

Other materials which may be present in the detergent compositions ofthe invention in generally minor amounts are those conventionallypresent therein. Typical examples thereof include the well-knownsoil-suspending agents, hydrotropes, corrosion inhibitors, dyes,perfumes, fillers such as sodium sulfate, optical brighteners,perborates, bleaches, bleach activators, enzymes, suds boosters, sudsdepressants.Iadd., .Iaddend.germicides, fungicides, anti-tarnishingagents, cationic detergents, fabric softening agents and in the case ofliquid compositions, opacifiers and organic solvents. The balance of thedetergent compositions may be water or inert filler.

It has been discovered that when higher than normal levels of anionic,nonionic, ampholytic or zwitterionic surfactants are used with thesulfosuccinate derivative salts of this invention, the detergency of theformulation is significantly enhanced particularly at low formulationconcentration (˜0.1%) which are typically used by the U.S. housewife.For enhanced results the detergent formulation should contain surfactantlevels of about 25% to about 45% by weight and the sulfosuccinatederivative salt levels of about 25% to about 75% by weight in the caseswhere the surfactants are anionic, ampholytic of zwitterionic. When thesurfactant is a nonionic, enhanced detergency results are obtained whenthe level of said nonionic in the formulation is from about 15% to 30%by weight and the level of sulfosuccinate derivative salt is from about25% to about 85% by weight.

In addition to their use in general household detergent compositions,the builders of the present invention find utility as boiler scaleremovers, stain removers and general chelating agents. When used at pH'sof about 2 to about 5 as partially neutralized alkali metal, ammonium orsubstituted ammonium salts, especially in combination with wettingagents and surfactants, the compounds of the invention are excellentmetal cleaning compounds.

Table 1 further illustrates the present invention. The detergentformulations set forth in the Table represent detergent compositionscontaining the builders of the present invention in combination withrepresentative classes of surface active agents compared with control orstandard phosphate built detergent compositions. The compositions wereprepared by blending together the recited components in the proportionsindicated, including an anticorrosive agent and buffer agent (sodiumsilicate). The compositions were then tested on vacuum cleaner dustsoiled cloth for detergency or cleaning ability in the Terg-O-Tometertest; wherein washing conditions are as indicated and the resultsreported as detergency units. The average detergency units (DU) of theformulation is the final reflectance value of the washed cloth (averageof 2 runs) minus the initial reflectance of the soiled cloth, thereflectances being obtained by measurement with a Gardner automaticcolor difference meter, Model AC-3.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Component  % Composition                                                      __________________________________________________________________________    α-hydroxy.sup.a                                                                    50 50 50 50 50                                                     α-(2-hydroxy-                                                           ethoxy).sup.a             50 50                                               α-dodecyloxy.sup.a        50                                            α-methoxy.sup.a              50                                         α-carboxymethoxy.sup.a          50                                      α-dodecyloxyethoxy.sup.a           50                                   α-dodecylthio.sup.a                   50                                Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10                                                     Sodium silicate                                                                          10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10                                (SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub. 2 O=                                                      2.4:1)                                                                        Anionic.sup.b                                                                            18             18 36 18 18 18 18 18                                Anionic.sup.c 18                                                              Nonionic.sup.d   20                                                           Ampholytic.sup.e    18                                                        Zwitterionic.sub.f     18                                                     Water                     bal                                                 Formulation                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.1                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                               Concentration, %                                                              Detergency (DU's)                                                                        24.6                                                                             24.4                                                                             26.5                                                                             23.1                                                                             25.6                                                                             26.1                                                                             24.7                                                                             27.1                                                                             23.0                                                                             24.2                                                                             15.4                                                                             22.3                              __________________________________________________________________________    Component  Controls (% Composition)                                           __________________________________________________________________________    α-hydroxy.sup.a                                                         α-(2-hydroxy-                                                           ethoxy).sup.a                                                                 α-dodecyloxy.sup.a                                                      α-methoxy.sup.a                                                         α-carboxymethoxy.sup.a                                                  α-dodecyloxyethoxy.sup.a                                                α-dodecylthio.sup.a                                                     Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10    50 50 50                                         Sodium silicate                                                                          10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10                                         (SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.1 O=                                                       2.4:1)                                                                        Anionic.sup.b                                                                            18 18                                                              Anionic.sup.c    18          18                                               Nonionic.sup.d      20          20                                            Ampholytic.sup.e       18          18                                         Zwitterionic.sup.f        18                                                  Water                  bal                                                    Formulation                                                                              0.1                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.2                                        Concentration, %                                                              Detergency (DU's)                                                                        4.8                                                                              6.4                                                                              16.1                                                                             19.9                                                                             18.8                                                                             20.1                                                                             28.7                                                                             29.4                                                                             28.5                                       __________________________________________________________________________     .sup.a Sodium salts of α-substituted-β-sulfosuccinate              .sup.b Sodium linear secondary alkyl (C.sub.14 -C.sub.15 ( benzene            sulfonate                                                                     .sup.c Sodium C.sub.15 -C.sub.14 α-olefin sulfonate                     .sup.d C.sub.11 -C.sub.15 liner secondary alcohols ethoxylated with 7         moles etylene oxide/mole alcohol                                              .sup.e C.sub.11 -C.sub.14 HAMT (sodium hydroxyalkyl N-methyl laurate)         .sup.f Sulfobetane DCH(.[.code.]..Iadd.coco.Iaddend.dimethylsulfopropyl       betaine)                                                                      Washing condition - 180 ppm (2:1 Ca.sup.++ /Mg.sup.++): 120° F. pH     10                                                                       

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Trisodium α-Hydroxy-β-Sulfosuccinate

Sulfomaleic anhydride was prepared by heating a mixture of 1 mole ofsulfur trioxide with 1 mole of maleic anhydride first at 60° C until theexothermic reaction subsided and then at 100°-110° C for 3 hours. 45 gmof sulfomaleic anhydride product was then mixed with 45 gm of ice andthe resulting solution extracted 25 times with 50 ml portions to etherto remove maleic acid. A 20 ml portion of the resulting aqueous phasewas collected, adjusted to pH = 11 with calcium hydroxide and refluxedfor 4 hours. NMR analysis indicated that all of the sulfomaleic acid hadhydrated within the first hour of reflux. The reaction mixture was thenpassed through a column of cation exchange resin. A portion of theeffluent was then neutralized to pH = 8.5 and evaporated to a whitecrystalline residue (19.2 gm), which contained 80.9% of trisodiumα-hydroxy-β-sulfosuccinate as determined by NMR analysis (using D₂ Osolvent and K biphthalate as an internal standard) and 10.4% water byKarl Fischer analysis.

EXAMPLE 2 α-Thiosubstituted-β-Sulfosuccinates

The procedure of Example 1 is repeated except that in place of Ca(OH)₂the pH is adjusted to 8.6 with NaOH. Then, an aqueous solutioncontaining excess sodium hydrosulfide, sodium methyl mercaptide orsodium ethyl mercaptide is added and the resulting solution allowed tostand overnight. The reaction mixture is then passed through a column ofcation exchange resin and the effluent evaporated to low volume. The pHis .[.the.]. .Iadd.then .Iaddend.adjusted to 8.5 with sodium hydroxideand the solution evaporated to dryness. In this way, there is affordedrespectively:

trisodium α-mercapto-β-sulfosuccinate

trisodium α-methylthio-β-sulfosuccinate

trisodium α-ethylene-β-sulfosuccinate

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Trisodium α-Methoxy-β-Sulfosuccinate

Sulfomaleic anhydride, 3.9 gm, was dissolved in 25 ml of methanol andrefluxed for 5 hours. Then, 24 gm of 25% sodium methoxide in methanolwas added and the solution was refluxed for 2 hours. The methanol wasthen evaporated and the residue was dissolved in 100 ml of water andheated for 1 hour at 80° C. The solution was then decolorized with 5 gmof charcoal, filtered and evaporated. The crude residue of trisodiumα-methoxy-β-sulfosuccinate was purified by trituration with acetic acidand then filtered, washed with acetone and dried.

α-ethoxy-β-sulfosuccinate may be prepared by substituting ethanol andsodium ethoxide in the procedure described above.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Trisodium α-Dodecyloxy-β-Sulfosuccinate

Sulfomaleic anhydride (10 gm) .[.are.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.mixed with 80gm (0.45 mole) of n-dodecanol and heated at 100° C for 14 hours. Asolution of 7.04 gm of sodium hydroxide in 50 ml water is then added andthe mixture heated at 60° C for 2 hours. The heated mixture is thenextracted three times with 300 cc portions of acetone (at reflux) andthe acetone insoluble fraction is then filtered, washed with additionalacetone and dried to give 16.2 gm of the title compound (structureconfirmed by NMR and ion exchange of a sample followed by titration withstandard sodium hydroxide: neutralization equivalent: found 147.0,theory 149.3)

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Trisodium α-Dodecyloxyethoxy-β -Sulfosuccinate

Using the procedure of Example 4 and substituting 37 gm (0.32 mole) of2-dodecyloxyethanol in place of the n-dodecanol there is obtainedtrisodium α-dodecyloxyethoxy-β-sulfosuccinate.

EXAMPLES 6-8

Using n-tetradecanol in place of n-dodecanol in the procedure of Example4 and carrying out the hydrolysis step with 10% excess aqueous sodiumhydroxide at 80° C for 4 hours instead of 60° C .[.at 2.]. .Iadd.for two.Iaddend.hours, there is obtained trisodiumα-tetradecyloxy-β-sulfosuccinate (Example 6). Similarly, usingn-hexadecanol in place of n-dodecanol, there is obtained trisodiumα-hexadecyloxy-β-sulfosuccinate (Example 7); using n-octadecanol, thereis obtained trisodium α-octadecyloxy-β-sulfosuccinate (Example 8).

EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of Trisodium α-Hydroxyethoxy-β-Sulfosuccinate

Sulfomaleic anhydride (20 gm) is mixed with 37.2 gm (0.6 mole) ofethylene glycol and heated at 80° C for 4 hours. A solution of 16 gm(0.4 mole) of sodium hydroxide in 75 ml of water is then added and themixture heated at 80° C for 4 hours. The mixture is then mixed withacetone to precipitate trisodium α-hydroxyethoxy-β-sulfosuccinate, whichis purified by repeated extractions with hot acetone to remove allethylene glycol and water followed by filtration and drying in an oven.

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of the Tetrasodium Salt ofα-Carboxymethyloxy-β-Sulfosuccinic Acid

Sulfomaleic anhydride (19.4 gm) is heated to 60° C and combined with 76gm of ethyl glycolate. After heating the mixture at 80° C for 51/2hours, there is added a solution of 45 gm of sodium hydroxide dissolvedin 135 gm of water and heating is continued at 80° for an additionalthree hours. The mixture is then diluted with water and passed through acolumn of a cation exchange resin. The resulting eluent is thenevaporated in vacuo to a low volume and the concentrate extractedrepeatedly with acetone to remove glycolic acid and other impurities.The resulting extracted residue is then dissolved in water and the pH ofthe solution adjusted to 8.6 with dilute sodium hydroxide. Evaporationof the solution in vacuo and drying over P₂ O₅ gives a residue of thetetrasodium salt of α-carboxymethyloxy-β-sulfosuccinic acid.

EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of Trisodiumα(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-β-Sulfosuccinate

Sulfomaleic anhydride (prepared from a 1/1 mole ratio of SO₃ /maleicanhydride by heating the mixture at 100°-110° C for 3 hours; activecontent, 86%), 20.7 gm (0.1 mole), was added to 100 gm of ice. Theresulting solution was kept at 10°-15° C and neutralized to pH = 8.6 by.[.slowlly.]. .Iadd.slowly .Iaddend.adding 28.4 gm of 50% sodiumhydroxide. Mono-ethanolamine, 6.1 gm (0.1 mole), was next added slowlyand the temperature allowed to rise to room temperature. After standingovernight, the reaction mixture was poured into 800 ml of acetone. Thesolvent was then decanted from the resulting syrupy lower layer and thelatter reprecipitated three times from water with fresh acetone. Theresidue was then dried in a dessicator over P₂ O₅ to give 38.8 gm of anoff-thite, granular product containing approximately 88% trisodiumα-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-β-sulfosuccinate by titration with perchloricacid. The structure was confirmed by NMR analysis.

The above method is satisfactory for reacting water-soluble aminocompounds with sulfomaleic anhydride. For water insoluble aminocompounds such as the higher alkyl amines, a mixed solvent system suchas ethanol/water and dioxane/water is used together with temperatures inthe range of 25°-80° C.

Table 2 indicates the reactants and procedure required to obtain otherα-substituted-β -sulfosuccinate salts having the R and Z moieties setforth in Formula I.

                                      TABLE 2                                     __________________________________________________________________________    R                 Z  Ex. Reactants (Sulfomaleic Anhydride+)                   __________________________________________________________________________    H                 O  1   Water                                                Alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)                                                                        O  3   C.sub.1 or C.sub.2 alcohol                           Alkyl (C.sub.3 -C.sub.30)                                                                       O  4-8 C.sub.3 -C.sub.30 primary, secondary or                                       tertiary                                                                      alcohol                                              Phenyl            0  4-8 Phenol                                               Carboxyphenyl     0  10  Methyl salicylate                                    Alkylphenyl       O  4-8 Alkylphenol                                          o.m.p. methylphenyl                                                                             0  4-8 o. m. p cresol, carvacrol, thymol                    HOOC--CH.sub.2 -- O  10  Ethyl glycolate                                      HOOC--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                      O  10  Methyl-β-hydroxypropionate                      HO.sub.3 S--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2--                                                                 O  4   Isethionic acid                                      R'O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                           O  4   R'O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                              OH                                                   HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                       O  4   HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH            HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                              O  4   HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                               OH                                                   HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub. 2 O).sub.10 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                            O  4   HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.10 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                              OH                                                   HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.15 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                             O  4   HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.15 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                              OH                                                   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                             O  4   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3                                CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                 CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.10 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.9 CH.sub.2 C--                            O  4   CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.10 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                O).sub.9 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                        H.sub.2 --                                                                    CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.20 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 C--                            O  4   CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.20 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                        H.sub.2 --                                                                    CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 S(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                             O  4   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 S(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3                                CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                 CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 S(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.9 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                             O  4   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 S(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.9                                CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                 HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                          O  9   Ethylene glycol                                      HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                 O  9   Trimethylene glycol                                  HOCH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.2 --                                                         O  9   Hexamethylene glycol                                 H                 S  2   Sodium hydrosulfide                                  Alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)                                                                        S  2   Sodium (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkyl mercaptide           Alkyl (C.sub.3 -C.sub.30)                                                                       S  4-8 C.sub.3 -C.sub.30 alkylmercaptan                     Phenyl            S  4-8 Thiophenol                                           Carboxyphenyl     S  10  Methyl 2-mercaptobenzoate                            Alkylphenyl       S  4-8 Alkylthiophenol                                      HOOC--CH.sub.2 -- S  10  Ethyl mercaptoacetate                                HOOC--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                      S  10  Methyl β-mercaptopropionate                     HO.sub.3 SCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                  S  4   Mercaptoethanesulfonic acid                          R'O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                             S  4   R'O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                              SH                                                   HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                       S  2   HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SNa           HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub. 3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                             S  2   HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                               SNa                                                  HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.10 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                             S  2   HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.10 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                              SNa                                                  HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.15 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                             S  2   HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.15 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                              SNa                                                  CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 C--                            S  4   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3                                CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SH                                 H.sub.2 --                                                                    CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.11 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.9 CH.sub.2 C--                            S  4   CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.11 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                O).sub.9 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SH                        H.sub.2 --                                                                    CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.21 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 C--                            S  4   CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.21 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SH                        H.sub.2 --                                                                    CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 S(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                             S  4   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 S(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.3                                CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SH                                 CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 S(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.9 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                             S  4   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 S(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.9                                CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SH                                 HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                          S  2   Sodium 2-hydroxyethylmercaptide                      HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                 S  2   Sodium 3-hydroxypropylmercaptide                     HOCH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.2 --                                                         S  2   Sodium 6-hydroxyhexylmercaptide                      Alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)                                                                        SO 2   C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylmercaptan.sup.a                Alkyl (C.sub.3 -C.sub.30)                                                                       SO 4-8 C.sub.3 -C.sub.30 alkylmercaptan.sup.a               Phenyl            SO 4-8 Thiophenol.sup.a                                     Carboxyphenol     SO 10  Methyl 2-mercaptobenzoate.sup.a                      C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylphenyl                                                                    SO 4-8 alkylthiophenol.sup.a                                HOOC--CH.sub.2 -- SO 10  Ethylmercaptoacetate.sup.a                           HOOC--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                      SO 10  Methyl β-mercaptopropionate.sup.a               R'O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                             SO 5   R'O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                              SH.sup.a                                             HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                          SO 2   Sodium 2-hydroxyethylmercaptide                      HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                                 SO 2   Sodium 3-hydroxypropylmercaptide                     HOCH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.2 --                                                         SO 2   Sodium 6-hydroxyhexylmercaptide                      C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl                                                                          SO.sub.2                                                                         2   C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylmercaptan.sup.b                C.sub.3 -C.sub.30 alkyl                                                                         SO.sub.2                                                                         4-8 C.sub.3 -C.sub.30 alkylmercaptan.sup.b               Phenyl            SO.sub.2                                                                         4-8 Thiophenol.sup.b                                     Carboxyphenyl     SO.sub.2                                                                         4-8 Methyl 2-mercaptobenzoate.sup.b                      HOOC--CH.sub.2 -- SO.sub.2                                                                         10  Ethyl mercaptoacetate.sup.b                          HOOC--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --                                                             SO.sub.2                                                                         10  Methyl 2-mercaptobutyrate.sup.b                      R'O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2)--                                            SO.sub.2                                                                         5   R'O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                              SH.sup.b                                             __________________________________________________________________________     .sup.a Followed by oxidation to sulfoxide according to Fieser reference.      .sup.b Followed by oxidation to sulfone according to Fieser reference.   

What is claimed is:
 1. A detergent composition consisting essentiallyofa. at least one detergent surface active agent selected from the groupconsisting of anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and ampholytic agents;and, b. from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of an organic detergentbuilder selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal,ammonium.Iadd., .Iaddend.monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium,triethanolammonium, methylammonium dimethylammonium, trimethylammonium,tetramethylammonium, morpholinium, N-methylmonoethanolammonium .[.andN-ethylmonoethanolammonium.]. and N-ethylmonoethanolammonium salts andmixtures thereof of an α-substituted-β-.[. sulfosuccinate.]..Iadd.sulfosuccinic acid .Iaddend.having the general formula ##STR5##wherein; R is selected from the group consisting of
 1. alkyl containing1 - 30 carbon atoms,2. phenyl,
 3. carboxy-substituted phenyl furthercontaining mono-, di or tri-alkyl substituents wherein the alkyl groupscontain 1-4 carbon atoms,
 4. .[.sulfoxyalkyl.]. .Iadd.sulfoalkyl.Iaddend.and carboxyalkyl wherein the alkyl moiety contains 1-4 carbonatoms, and
 5. R'Z(CH₂ CH₂ O)n--CH₂ CH₂ whereina. R' is hydrogen or alkylcontaining 1-24 carbon atoms, b. Z is selected from the group consistingof O, S, SO₂ and SO, ##STR6## and, c. n is an integer of 0-15; and Z isas previously defined.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the builderis an α-alkoxy-β-sulfosuccinate wherein the alkoxy group contains about1-24 carbon atoms.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wheren the builder isan α-alkoxy-β-sulfosuccinate wherein the alkoxy group contains about9-24 carbon atoms.
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the builder isan α-alkoxy-β-sulfosuccinate wherein the alkoxy group contains about 1-8carbon atoms.
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the builder isα-dodecyloxy-β-sulfosuccinate.
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein thebuilder is α-hexadecyloxy-β-sulfosuccinate.
 7. The composition of claim1 wherein the builder is α-octadecyloxy-β-sulfosuccinate.
 8. Thecomposition of claim 1 wherein the builder isα-tetradecyloxy-β-sulfosuccinate.
 9. The composition of claim 1 whereinthe builder is α-hydroxyethoxy-β-sulfosuccinate.
 10. The composition ofclaim 1 wherein the builder is α-alkoxyethoxy-β-sulfosuccinate whereinthe alkoxy moiety contains about 1-24 carbon atoms.
 11. The compositionof claim 1 wherein the builder is α-dodecyloxyethoxy-β-sulfosuccinate.12. The composition of claim 1 wherein the builder isα-carboxymethoxy-β-sulfosuccinate.
 13. A composition of claim 1 whereinthe builder is a salt of an α-substituted-β-sulfosuccinic acid havingthe general formula: ##STR7## wherein R is selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl containing 1-30 carbon atoms, phenyl, carboxysubstituted and mono- di- or tri-alkyl substituted phenyl wherein thealkyl group or groups contain 1-4 carbon atoms, sulfo and carboxy alkylwherein the alkyl moiety contains 1-4 carbon atoms; and R'Z(CH₂ CH₂O)n--CH₂ CH₂ wherein R' is H or alkyl containing 1-24 carbon atoms, n is0 or an integer of from 1-15 and Z is O, S, SO or SO₂.
 14. A compositionof claim 1 wherein the builder is a salt of anα-substituted-β-sulfosuccinic acid having the general formula: ##STR8##wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1-30carbon atoms, phenyl.Iadd., .Iaddend.substituted phenyl wherein thephenyl ring contains one carboxyl group and one, two or three alkylgroups wherein the alkyl group or groups contain 1-4 carbon atoms, sulfoand carboxy alkyl wherein the alkyl moiety contains 1-4 carbon atoms;and R'Z(CH₂ CH₂ O)n--CH₂ CH₂ wherein R' is H or alkyl containing 1-24carbon atoms, n is 0 or an integer of from 1-15 and Z is O, S, SO orSO₂.
 15. A composition of claim 1 wherein the builder is a salt of anα-substituted-β-sulfosuccinic acid having the general formula: ##STR9##wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkylcontaining 1-30 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl wherein thephenyl ring contains one carboxyl group and one, two or three alkylgroups wherein the alkyl group or groups contain 1-4 carbon atoms,sulfo- and carboxy-alkyl wherein the alkyl moiety contains 1-4 carbonatoms; and R'Z(CH₂ CH₂ O)n--CH₂ CH₂ wherein R' is H or alkyl containing1-24 carbon atoms, n is 0 or an integer of from 1-15 and Z is selectedfrom the group consisting of O, S, SO and SO₂.
 16. The composition ofclaim 15 wherein the builder is an α-alkylthio-β-sulfosuccinatecontaining about 1-24 carbon atoms in the alkylthio moiety.
 17. Thecomposition of claim 15 wherein the builder is anα-alkylthio-β-sulfosuccinate containing about 1-8 carbon atoms in thealkylthio moiety.
 18. The composition of claim 15 wherein the builder isan α-alkylthio-β-sulfosuccinate containing about 9-24 carbon atoms inthe alkylthio moiety.
 19. The composition of claim 15 wherein thebuilder is an α-dodecylthio-β-sulfosuccinate.
 20. The composition ofclaim 15 wherein the builder is an α-hexadecylthio-β-sulfosuccinate. 21.The composition of claim 15 wherein the builder is anα-octadecylthio-β-sulfosuccinate.
 22. A detergent composition consistingessentially ofa. at least one detergent surface active agent selectedfrom the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic andampholytic agents; and, b. from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of anorganic detergent builder selected from the group consisting of alkalimetal, ammonium.Iadd., .Iaddend.monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium,triethanolammonium, methylammonium, dimethylammonium, trimethylammonium,tetramethylammonium, morpholinium, N-methylmonoethanolammonium andN-ethylmonoethanolammonium salts and mixtures thereof of anα-substituted-β-.[.sulfosuccinate.]. .Iadd.sulfosuccinic acid.Iaddend.having the basic formula: ##STR10## wherein R is selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl containing 1-30 carbon atoms,phenyl.Iadd., .Iaddend.substituted phenyl wherein the phenyl ringcontains one carboxyl group and one, two or three alkyl groups whereinthe alkyl groups contain 1-4 carbon atoms, sulfo and carboxy-alkylwherein the alkyl moiety contains 1-4 carbon atoms and R'Z(CH₂ CH₂O)n--CH₂ CH₂ wherein R' is hydrogen or alkyl containing 1-24 carbonatoms, n is an integer of 0-15, and .[.z.]. .Iadd.Z .Iaddend.is selectedfrom the group consisting of O, S, SO and SO₂ or mixtures thereof. .[.23. The composition of claim 1 wherein the builder isα-hydroxy-β-sulfosuccinate..]. .Iadd.
 24. The composition of claim 22wherein the builder is α-hydroxy-β-sulfosuccinate. .Iaddend.